The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) celebrated the Class of 2026 in fitting fashion at the annual Thunderbird High School Senior Classic, held May 17 at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale. The boys teed off on the Lakes nine, while the girls started on the Arroyo nine, playing the Arroyo-to-Lakes rotation for the 18-hole sendoff.
Sponsored by The Thunderbirds, proud hosts of the WM Phoenix Open, the event brought together 74 graduating seniors — 61 boys and 13 girls — for one final high school showdown and a chance to reflect on their junior golf journeys.
“The High School Senior Classic is our way of saying thank you to the seniors who’ve grown up in the JGAA family,” said Scott McNevin, JGAA Executive Director. “Many of these players have competed with us for years, and this tournament, made possible by The Thunderbirds, gives them a proper sendoff. It was a tournament to remember.”
In the Girls division, future Clemson golfer and two-time AJGA winner Julia Herzberg narrowly pulled off the victory to conclude her high school tenure on a high note. The win chalked up her second of the season, a magnificent cap to an outstanding junior golf career. The Gilbert star carded six birdies and two bogeys to wrap up the event and seal it at 4-under par. Her impressive birdie on the last hole propelled her to the top of the leaderboard and ahead of the field. The best part of the day? The memories made with teammates along the way. We have no doubt that Julia will take her goals, ambitions, and competitive spirit to Clemson. Charlene Lamb of Cactus Shadows High School finished solo-second at 3-under-par 69, and Izzy Piazza of Xavier Prep secured third place at 1-under-par 71.
The Boys division showcased a competitive shootout with six players in red figures. Brophy’s Jack Abraham found the fairway consistently and hit 17 greens throughout the round to surge out front of the pack. Tied for the lead as he made the turn, Abraham pressed forward with an aggressive approach, attacking the center of greens and creating consistent birdie opportunities. The future University of Northern Colorado golfer birdied two of the last five holes and went bogeyless to outperform the field by one stroke at 3-under par. Clay Wilson of Mesquite High School finished second at 2-under par, while there was a four-way tie for third place honors between Cameron Summerhays of Scottsdale Online Learning, Mateo Berastegui of Brophy, Joey Allan of Pinnacle High School, and Jake Goyen of ALA Gilbert North at 1-under par.
The JGAA thanks The Thunderbirds for making this celebration possible and congratulates every senior who teed it up at Gainey Ranch. The future of Arizona golf is in good hands.
